What is the right age to start music lessons?

Which lesson length is right for my child?

Lesson length is decided by the age, level and goal of the student. Usually, beginners younger than 10 will start with a 30 minute lesson (45 minute is a good start for adult beginners), then increase lesson length to 45 minute when appropriate. 60 minute lessons are usually for advanced students or students preparing for exams or competitions.

Our teachers are experienced with students of all ages and levels; they will be able to recommend a suitable lesson length for you.

Do I need a piano at home to take piano lessons?

It is ideal if you do have a piano at home, but you can start lessons by using an electric keyboard to practice on. Most of our students rent or buy a small electric keyboard to practice on at home. We recommend a keyboard that has regular sized keys and a touch sensitive response. A touch sensitive keyboard means if you press a key harder it will play louder and if you press a key softer it will play quieter. Once you see that your child is showing continued interest and commitment with playing the piano, you can look into getting an acoustic piano at home.

How long does it take to learn an instrument?

There is no set answer of how long it takes to learn an instrument. With regular practice a basic level of playing can be accomplished in a few months. Most of our students take lessons on a long term basis because they want to be constantly improving and they find music lessons enjoyable.

Should parents sit in on lessons?

We have an “open door” policy for our lessons. Parents and teachers should discuss what the best is for the student together, as each student learns differently.

We do recommend parents of young beginners stay in the studio for the first few weeks. This will help young students tremendously as they usually need help at home. After the initial months, many students concentrate and work better without their parents being there. For students that are older than 10, most likely they will handle lessons better without parents being there.

Should I stay in “Piano Toons” Classes?

No. As much as we love parents’ involvement, we ask all parents to wait outside the class room. We have found that students tend to concentrate better and teachers can achieve more in class when mom & dad are not around. We encourage parents to be in the lobby area when the class ends so our teacher can brief you on what happened during the class.

Should students practice regularly at home?

Absolutely! We cannot stress how important it is to practice regularly at home. Progress is affected greatly by how much and how well a student practices at home. The more often they can practice at home, the better they will progress.

What is the best way to practice at home?

When it comes to practice, frequency is more important than length, especially for beginners. For instance, practicing 15 minutes every day is better than practicing twice a week with 45 minute sessions. It is important that students practice in a stress free environment at home so that they can concentrate. Even if you don’t have a musical background, you can still help by simply monitoring your child to make sure that he/she practices at least 4-5 times each week.

Should my child participate in the student recital?

Yes, if he/she is ready to play. Performing in front of an audience is an important part of music education. It provides a unique opportunity for students to improve their skills and gain self confidence. Many students find the idea daunting at first, but most of them find the experience satisfying (just look at all the big smiles on everyone’s face after the recital!). If you are not sure about your child’s readiness, feel free to talk with your teacher. It is quite alright if your child decides not to play in the recital, there is always another one in the future.

Should we take lessons during the summer or take a break?

We recommend taking summer lessons if you are around. Summer is a great time to take music lessons because everyone has more time on their hands. Some of our students also start a 2nd instrument during the summer. Not taking lessons usually means no practice at all at home; two and half months of not playing will definitely result in a noticeable decline in playing level. Don’t lose those hard earned skills from the school year! Your child can still “take a break” during the summer since our program is only 6-weeks long.